This is the coolest idea ever. I want to know if STEAM is nation-wide or just in MA. I'm going to do some investigating because this is exactly what Jacksonville needs.

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Thanks! As far as I know, STEAM is pretty much nationwide, if not worldwide. The benefits are pretty well documented in the educational community, and applying it in a makerspace environment has been amazingly successful. One of our friends teaches 5th graders to build boats - simple plywood open kayaks. The kids who aren't into the building part can paint/decorate them. They then take them to a local pond (Jamaica Pond, if you know the Boston area) and teach them swimming, lifesaving and of course, boat handling. That one project fulfills something like 98% of the Common Core standards.

My favorite story is the teacher overheard one conversation - "why do you suck at math so bad, but you're really good at it here?" "I dunno, I just care about it here..."

The cool thing about people who start makerspaces is they're pretty committed to helping people do stuff - like starting makerspaces! I got my financial projections and a lot of my structural stuff from online sources freely shared by other successful makerspaces. MAKE magazine, of course, has a huge resource. Feel free to DM me if you want some help, either here or on our Facebook page.

ALSO, I just remembered, one of the early members here on ElMoto, Tango, built his bike at a TechShop, one of the for-profit makerspaces in the SF area.

This is a computer-controlled easel that moves so I can photograph artwork. All the explain is on the site.

I had intentions of selling them, but a combination of having to deal with after-sales customer support, and the fact I was constantly upgrading the design, I kind of left it alone. Probably start it up again once the makerspace is rolling.

This photograph was given to me by my parents. A neighbor of theirs was a retired National Geographic photographer.
It's hard to see in my pic, but I installed 2 red LED's behind his eyes! Their neighbor loved it! I want to redo it when I have time using a bluetooth controlled relay to turn his eyes on with my phone. I'll use RGB LED's next time so I can turn his eyes on different colors!!

BUMP!
Flo, do you have any video of the jet in action? I think we all want to see that beauty in flight! It would be cool to put a gopro in the cockpit!!

I finally got the time to work out some issues with my highly modified MinnKota Hobie Outback YakAttack kit!
I spare no expense in silicone goop, unlike the factory's penny pinching cost cuttin...%$#%&*@
These need to be waterproofed well, especially for use in saltwater. No water should be able to get down the shaft. I learned that the hard way!
Cu corrodes fast, so all the terminals need to be protected as well.ya3.jpgya1.jpg
I learned babushka from the Russians and Kate Bush!! The Battbox inside the bigger box which straps into the cargo holder behind the pilot.
It has a tethered kill switch. I cant tell you how many times I almost couldn't catch my 440 jetski back in the day. They were supposed to circle around you, which generally worked, but not in choppy water. ya2.jpgya4.jpg
And yes, the kit can be made to order!
I'm wondering if I could use my old Alltrax Axe 4834 to run two of these trolling motors in parallel. I can build a "Twin Screw" YakAttack kit for the bigger Hobies!!

I then kinda gave up on electric vehicles for a while. (the technology just wasn't there)

Back (~2008) I came across an electric mini-bike @ Northern Tools for ~$350.00. I thought, I can harvest the motor, controller, throttle thingy & even the battery pack & then sell the "new" frame for ~$100.00, so I would only have ~$250.00 into a complete electric propulsion system for a go kart. It was so kool I couldn't bring myself to dismantle it. (still got it even)

Then, (~2013) I found a (not running) electric scooter on craigslist for $30.00 & had no problem tearing into it. I designed & made a custom frame & used the motor, controller, throttle, wiring harness & even the front & rear wheels too, for my daughter Desteny.

Next, (~2014) I had to design & build another go kart for her twin brother Winston. I called the minibike manufacturer & told them that I wanted to buy a spare motor. They had an extra whole kit that they sold to me for $100.00.

Then, (~2015) I designed & built a dual motor kart called "Double Trouble"

& Then, (~2016) I mounted a 8kW motor on a Dingo go kart. (I didn't design the kart just the electrical/propulsion set up)

Unless you set it up different, you will not be happy with the end product.
On that, Dingo (El Dingo) I had just (3) of the 12V 35AH batteries (~20 lbs. ea.), the motor (~40 lbs.) & the controller box (~10 lbs.).
I quickly found, with all of that weight (100+ lbs.) right over top of a "live" axle (posi-traction) the steering became more of a suggestion than a command. (not good)